NBC News Exclusive: Political ties to a secretive religious group

[RamboLiberal]

For more than 50 years, the National Prayer Breakfast has been a Washington institution. Every president has attended the breakfast since Eisenhower, elbow-to-elbow with Democrats and Republicans alike. “I am really proud to carry on that tradition,” President Bush said at this year’s breakfast. “The people in this room come from many different walks of faith. Yet we share one clear conviction: We believe that the Almighty hears our prayers -- and answers those who seek Him.”

Besides the presidents and first ladies--Bill and Hillary Clinton attended in 1997--the one constant presence at the National Prayer Breakfast has been Douglas Coe. Although he’s not an ordained minister, the 79-year-old Coe is the most important religious leader you've never seen or heard.

But Doug Coe is well known to scores of senators in both parties--and many faiths--including Sam Brownback, Mike Enzi, Mark Pryor and Bill Nelson. They go to small weekly Senate prayer groups that Coe attends. Participants tell NBC News that so have senators John McCain, Barack Obama and Hillary Clinton, which those campaigns confirm.

Senator Clinton’s participation is surprising to observers who have investigated Coe’s group, called The Fellowship Foundation, which critics have described as a secretive organization populated mostly by conservative Republicans. “I think in part through her involvement with the Fellowship’s prayer group she was able to meet with some of these Republican senators and get to know them on a one-on-one basis,” said Joshua Green, a Senior Editor at The Atlantic magazine.

http://deepbackground.msnbc.msn.com/archive/2008/04/03/857959.aspx

[EFerrari]

1. Finally. n/t

[chixydix]

12. Obama and McCain attend as well. What's "finally" about?

??

[cliffordu]

2. Yeah, finally. NT

[RaleighNCDUer]

3. A very disturbing article.

"In her autobiography, “Living History,” Senator Clinton describes Coe as "a genuinely loving spiritual mentor and guide to anyone, regardless of party or faith, who wants to deepen his or her relationship with God.” She writes that “Doug became a source of strength and friendship" during her often-troubled White House years."

and yet,

"Asked about Coe’s influence on Hillary Clinton, people close to her told NBC News that she does not consider him one of her leading spiritual advisors. They added that Senator Clinton has never contributed to Coe’s group, is not a member of The Fellowship and has never heard the sermons obtained by NBC News. And, they said, Doug Coe is not Hillary Clinton’s minister."

[ikojo]

5. She was for Coe before she was against

him.....


Would you like some sausage with those flap jacks, Mrs Clinton?

[madrchsod]

7. she also sought "guideance" from the wifes

about what she should do about bill having a hottie sucking his dick...i`m sure they told her to "forgive" him

[jgraz]

4. How can they claim an exclusive when Salon and Mother Jones scooped them by a year?

:shrug:

[madrchsod]

6. hillary`s heros

this really is an old story....but all`s fair when it comes to politics

[JackRiddler]

8. Old story?

That's what you're going to hear about the Iraq invasion lies soon enough.

Nothing unresolved is an "old story." Does this "old story" tell us something important today? Yes.

[mike_c]

9. K&R-- more revelations about the insideous role of religion in American politics....

It is time to get religous nuts OUT of American leadership!

[Cerridwen]

10. They finally bring to light a story about an insidious organization influencing

our politicians which is "populated mostly by conservative republicans" (emphasis added) and they're using it to attack Democrats; one in particular. And many here will play along.

Well, that's how the game is played and how the players are gamed.

edit spelling and replaced "everyone" with "many"

[bobthedrummer]

11. "Meet Hillary's Religious Leader, Rightwingnut Doug Coe" (archived Stephanie thread from 3-14-2008)

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=132x5071798

[annabanana]

13. Brian Williams brought this up last night on the 6:30 newscast, NBC. . .n/t